Stichting Nationale Parken Nederlandse Antillean (STINAPA N.A.) was founded in 1962. The objective was to have a foundation actively protecting nature on the islands of the Netherlands Antilles. The first activities of this foundation were concentrated on Bonaire. Efforts were made to safeguard the breeding grounds of the Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) and the creation of the Washington Park in 1969. It became the first sanctuary of the Netherlands Antilles. After that effort, negotiations began for the purchase of the Slagbaai plantation. Enough money was raised and in 1979 the plantation was added to the park. It became the Washington Slagbaai National Park.

In that same year, 1979, the Bonaire Marine Park was founded. During the following years marine protected areas on Curaçao and Saba and the terrestrial park, Christoffel Park, on Curaçao were founded. Each island had a commission of the foundation and by the end of the 1980’s each island turned the commissions into separate foundations. Bonaire founded Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire). Since then, STINAPA Bonaire has been managing the protected areas of Bonaire and caring for the preservation and conservation of nature on the island.